Morris Sheriff and Roxbury Police Make Arrests for Attempted Burglary at Ledgewood Powersports

Posted Thursday, August 3rd, 2017

FOUR PHILADELPHIA MEN CHARGED — Sheriff’s K-9 is Key to Arrests

Authorities arrested four Philadelphia men today in connection to a burglary that occurred at a Roxbury Township shop on Route 46 that specializes in selling ATVs, motorcycles, watercraft, and other motorized vehicles.

Authorities said that at about 2:12 am, Roxbury Police responded to Ledgewood Powersports, 1368 Route 46 East, in Ledgewood, on an activated burglar alarm.

Roxbury Police Sgt. Catalano, Patrolman Ponomorev, Patrolman Barbera, and Patrolman Strowbridge arrived on the scene and observed four individuals running from the building. A foot pursuit ensued and officers set up a perimeter to contain the subjects.

Roxbury officers called for the assistance of the Mt. Arlington and Netcong Police Departments. Officers on scene also immediately called for the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit to respond.

Sheriff’s Detective/Sgt. Tomasini arrived on the scene and utilized K-9 Sigmund, a certified patrol dog, to search for the subjects. Following a trail of human scent, K-9 Sigmund was able to track more than 50 yards in heavy brush and located two subjects, who were arrested.

K-9 Sigmund then continued to track human scent in the nearby area resulting in the apprehension of two more subjects. K-9 Loco along with handler Detective Carbone also assisted at the scene. Detective Kovacs responded from the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Section.

Arrested were Leon Foote, 18; Kyle Prit, 20; Robert Vidra, 26; and Angel Torres, 21, all of Philadelphia. They all were charged with Burglary, Criminal Attempt, Theft by Unlawful Taking, Criminal Mischief – Damage of Property, Resisting Arrest, and Conspiracy.

Morris County Sheriff’s K-9 Sigmund

All suspects were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morris Township pending a court appearance.

“I am very proud of the partnership that we have at the Morris County Sheriff’s Office with the Roxbury Police Department,’’ said Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon. “Our K-9 and CIS programs are second to none. This was a perfect example of the synergies in law enforcement that led to the quick apprehension of four suspected criminals intending to steal from our businesses. This isn’t tolerated here in Morris County,”

Roxbury Police Chief Marc Palanchi commended his officers, Mt. Arlington and Netcong Officers and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit for their swift response, quick thinking and effective execution of the search and arrests.

“We are incredibly lucky to live in a County with such outstanding resources available to us,’’ said Chief Palanchi. “The teamwork between our patrol officers, neighboring towns and the Morris County Sherriff’s Office is what led to the quick arrest of these individuals.”

Morris County Sheriff’s K-9 Sigmund is a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois certified in patrol and explosives detection.